title: Effects of single and multi walled carbon nanotubes on macrophages: cyto and genotoxicity and electron microscopy.
abstract: Production of nanotechnology-based materials is increasing worldwide: it is essential to evaluate their potential toxicity. Among these nanomaterials, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have tremendous potential in many areas of research and applications. We have investigated the cyto- and genotoxic effects of single and multi-walled CNTs (SWCNTs, MWCNTs) and carbon black (CB) on the mouse macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. Specifically we have investigated inflammatory response, release of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, cell death (both necrosis and apoptosis), chromosomal aberrations and cellular ultrastructural alteration caused by CB, MWCNTs and SWCNTs. Our data confirm that both CNTs and CB are cyto and geno-toxic to RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages. CNTs exposure induced ROS release, necrosis and chromosomal aberrations but did not cause an inflammatory response. In addition CNTs induce ultrastructural damage and apoptosis. CNTs penetrate the cell membrane and individual MWCNTs are seen associated with the nuclear envelope.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic and Applied Biology, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio 1, I-67010 Coppito-L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Laura
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Di Giorgio
authors.forename: Sebastiano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Di Bucchianico
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ragnelli
authors.forename: Pierpaolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aimola
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Santucci
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Poma
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016923:Cell Death; D002460:Cell Line; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000187:drug effects; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D004249:DNA Damage; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051379:Mice; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009153:Mutagens / Q000633:toxicity*; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000633:toxicity*; D009336:Necrosis / Q000209:etiology; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D009153:Mutagens; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha